09/01/2025
Disclaimer: this is a hard post.
Most of the time, when we share stories here, they are happy updates—puppies thriving in their new homes, families celebrating milestones, and the joy our dogs bring into daily life. But not every chapter is joyful. Today we need to share something heavy that has been weighing deeply on our hearts.
As pet owners, we make a lifelong commitment to every animal we bring into our lives. But what exactly is lifelong? Is it until the end of their life—or until the end of ours? None of us can predict what tomorrow holds, let alone the next 10–15 years. That reality hit painfully close this week.
One of our puppy families, who raised their German Shepherd from us with love for five years, faced unimaginable loss. The husband passed away earlier this year, and last Sunday, the wife lost her battle with terminal cancer. In her will, she named us as caretakers for her dog, ensuring he would come back to us. Although we stayed in touch a couple of times a year, we had no idea of her illness or that this responsibility might come so suddenly.
In her final months, she struggled to care for her pets while living alone, with only help from friends and neighbors. After she passed, her extended family didn’t know what to do with the dogs, how to reach us, or even what their needs were. Life’s timing was cruel: the close friends who knew the dogs had just welcomed a baby under difficult circumstances and were in the hospital themselves.
Meanwhile, the property sat locked. Inside were two German Shepherds and two cats—alone.
By the time we were contacted, more than a week had passed. We immediately agreed to bring our dog home. When we arrived, one of the German Shepherds had already died. The dog we bred, just five years old, was still alive but severely weakened. I ran my hand down his spine and could feel every bone. He was trembling, unable to climb into the car—we had to lift him. He is now under care, eating, drinking, and resting, but the emotional trauma he has endured—losing his family, being left alone, watching his companion die—is something no animal should ever face.
This weekend marked our 20th wedding anniversary. Instead of celebrating, we spent it on the road, rescuing one of our own from a nightmare. This is the reality of being a responsible breeder. It’s not about sales or pretty photos. It’s about standing by the dogs we bring into this world—for life, through heartbreak, through emergencies, through weekends like this one.
So today, I ask you: please, make long-term plans for your pets. Put it in writing. Have the conversations now. Do not leave it for grieving family to untangle. Do not risk your pets’ wellbeing because no one knew what to do.
Your pets depend on you in life—and they will still depend on you in death. Love them enough to plan ahead.
The photo below shows this very dog at just two weeks old. Once he has had time to rest, recover, and adjust, I’ll share a photo of him today. He looks so much like his mama—and that makes him all the more dear to our hearts.
“Breeder with heart” isn’t just a title. It’s a way of life.
